transporting a car, and getting paid...question...

[JNeiman]

Hey guys, I've been buying and selling for cars as a hobby for some time now, and have a question about one I am trying to sell now. I have someone interested in Ohio, about 700 miles away, and I am willing to deliver it, but how should I go about getting paid? He most likely wont be seeing the car in person before I being it to him. Is it reasonable to ask for all the money up front? I'd do a "half now, half on delivery" deal, but thats a long way to go (and come home) for him to find a problem with the car. How do I go about "covering my butt" in this type of situation? The car does need some work, which he is aware of... but again don't want to get out there for him to say he's not interested. What kind of payment plan or contract can I make with him? I'd really like to get all my money first. Oh yea, I'm only 17, so this is a little new... been selling cars locally for 3 years, but never long distance. Thanks a lot, JOE

 

[midwestdually]

i would think that half now/ half on delivery is your best bet. if you got all the money without the guy seeing the vehicle than he is an idiot. and for you to want all the money up front is a bit ridiculous as well. split the roads both ways and go from there. look from his perspective as well.

 

[OnlyCummins]

Don't transport companies require payment in advance? If so, why should you be any different.



Even tho I have zippo experience in delivering vehicles, I know I wouldn't even consider delivering a vehicle unless I had been paid in advance unless I was dealing with a well-established client. I'd be doing the favor (possibly lower delivery charge & fast delivery) so the least I would expect is advance payment. And if they don't like it ... well then, they can always go with a transport company. Speaking of which, oftentimes the transport companies offer lower rates as they're able to transport quite a few vehicles at once. Only possible drawback is having to wait while they get together a load to make a trip worthwhile.



Good luck.

 

[CFAR]

Or get something in writing before hand that says something like, Half now half on delivery, if buyer refuses delivery, refund his money less expenses for the round trip.

Make sure you list all known defects of vehicle, and have him sign acknowledging them.

 

[Gunny]

I am going to have to strongly disagree with "midwestdually". O do not find it ridiculous at all to expect to get paid in full for anything you sell. Here's the deal, you must and I mean must be ethical in a dealing like this. The buyer should have the benefit of knowing exactly what he is buying, leave out nothing. If you do that and he agrees to purchase the car, then you damn sure should get paid in full before you even think about driving the car to the guy. If you where going to ship the car on a commercial transport. Would you let them load it up and ship it to the guy for him to look at before you got your money? I don't think so. I also would not accept half of the money up front, if you are honest with the guy you should get all of your money NOW.



Gunny

 

[Eric_77]

I would go with delivery fee of x amount paid in advance, if he decides to buy car then deduct that amount from the set price you have with him, if it included delivery. That way you are both covered you get paid for your time if he does not want car and he gets to inspect car before purchasing.



Be sure to figure your time and expenses both ways for the delivery fee.

 

[midwestdually]

i like erics suggestion, the guy hasnt even seen the car, maybe it would be more feasable to get the delivery fee in advance and then payment of the vehicle upon delivery.



chances are the only reason he is possibly selling this car to the guy is because he is willing to deliver it to him. without the delivery the sale probably would never be made.



as a consumer i sure as hell would not send all my money and not even have the guy show up with the vehicle or it be crap. as a seller you should have a digital camera and take pics. cover your butt and make sure on the deal.

 

[JNeiman]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Keep them coming if you have opinions. He has seen many pictures of the car, and I think we have a deal worked out. Waiting to hear back from him and then we will probably discuss payment issues.

 

[y-knot]

Eric,



I had a simular situation, I had a dragster addvertised for sale. It was a with or without trailer add, and was listed on the web. A guy in California called and wanted both, at first he was going to fly out and rent a truck to haul them both back, but found that no-one hear rents dually trucks. So he wanted me to deliver it, that week! I didn't want to drive that far so I offered to meet him in Santa Rosa, New Mexico (1410 miles from me). He didn't have a problem paying for the delivery, which was only 1. 25/mile. I didn't want to be taken for a ride, I had my doubts about how legitimite this "deal" might be, and asked for him to wire my bank 1500. 00. I figured if he was stright-up he would not have a problem with it, and at least my expenses would be covered. He did and we both meet at 3:30 in the mourning and made our exchange. It was odd, He had to have trust in that I would be there, on time and with the cargo I had promised. And I had to trust that he would be there on time and with the money he had promised. I would not reccomend meeting a stranger, in the middle of the desert, at night, and exchanging over $40,000. 00 cash. We were nervious and packing, if you know what I mean. Any how it all turned out, but you have to come to an arrangment that both feel comfortable with. Good luck

Oh, we drove to New mexico and back in three days, going out we drove 23 hours 10 minuets stright thru only stopped to fill-up seven times, never turned the truck off.

 

[HBarlow]

JNeiman:



Here's a situation that actually happened with an acquaintance of mine:



He was interested in a modified vintage car that was offered for sale in the far corner of Texas. He told the seller that he would send or wire him $1000 to deliver it to the buyer's mechanic here in Lubbock, a distance of less than 1000 miles. He told the seller that if upon inspection the car was as advertised he would pay the balance in cash immediately. If on the other hand the car was misrepresented, the seller could keep the buyer's $1000 and take the car back home.



A week or so later the seller trailered the car to Lubbock and unloaded it at the mechanic's shop. The mechanic and prospective buyer put the car up on a lift, carefully inspected it, and test drove it. They determined that the car's condition was misrepresented by the seller.



The prospective buyer told the seller, "load it up, I don't want it. " The seller was not pleased but he was not cheated and neither was the prospective buyer. The prospective buyer was out $1000 (which he could afford) but he was not stuck with a misrepresented car at an inflated price.



Harvey

 

[zari]

Another option would be to put the money in escrow. That way, nobody can screw the other over... And beats meeting in the middle of the night in the desert exchanging $40,000

 

[Lurch]

Having been in the car delivery biz I'll put in my . 02. Industry standard is prepay or COD. You NEVER unload a car without cash or certified check in hand! You can't legaly put it back on the trailer, but you don't have to take it off . Any cost/damage complaints are dealt with seperately, driver must be paid in full before vehicle will be unloaded.

Seeing as this is a private deal and not commercial it is certainly not unreasonable to ask for half up front on the delivery. As to the cash for the vehicle they were paid for up front. Deal was closed before car was loaded.



Lurch

 

[Shooter]

If he is serious about the car he will pick it up. If the deal is marginal he will be more likely to accept the vehicle and not return empty handed.



I have purchased several cars on the web and pay with a cashiers check after inspection. Then I load it on my trailer and go home.

Your problem is that you are a minor and can not enter into a legal contract such as a vehicle sales contract. If they know or do not know that you are a minor does not matter and could cause a problem. The auto sale is not a legal sale due to your minority unless you have court documents emancipating you.



You have been a car dealer for 3 years as a minor. I wonder if your parents are aware they are the ones who are liable for any repercussions with sales, law suits, tax evasion, and not being a licensed dealer.